Law & Order: SVU Exclusive: Stabler's Exit to Be Dealt With Over 'Several Episodes'

Law & Order: SVU won’t be glossing over the disappearance of Chris Meloni’s Det. Stabler when the show returns this fall.

A week after NBC Robert Greenblatt ruled out the possibility of Stabler dying off screen, new showrunner Warren Leight tells TVLine exclusively that the character’s departure will be explained — and there will be fallout.

“The reasons for his absence,” says Leight, “and the effect it has on the squadroom — and Olivia (Mariska Hargitay) — will be explored in the first several episodes.”

The show’s boss declined to elaborate, but it’s safe to say the events of last May’s finale — in which Stabler shot and killed a young girl — will figure into his exit.

Meloni’s 12-year SVU stint came to an end in May after the actor and NBC failed to come to terms on a new contract.

To help fill the void, SVU is introducing new detectives played by Danny Pino (Cold Case) and Kelli Giddish (The Good Wife).